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Crown Heights - Brooklyn - NYC

I’ve only just begun my explorations of Crown Heights. I will be returning in the near future for a dedicated tour of the neighborhood, so please keep checking the Updates page and my YouTube channel!

Crown Heights is an historic and expansive neighborhood in the heart of Brooklyn. Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant are to its north while Ocean Hill and Brownsville are to the east. Southward is a collection of East Flatbush, Wingate and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. To the west are Prospect Park and Prospect Heights.

Crown Heights slideshow (Coming Soon):

The Neighborhood

Crown Heights is a vibrant neighborhood filled with brownstones and tree-lined streets. Plenty of commerce is available from local bodegas, to shopping districts.

Known for its diverse community, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions, Crown Heights has something for everyone. The neighborhood is home to the Brooklyn Museum, the second largest art museum in New York City, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the city. The streets are lined with beautiful brownstones and a mix of Caribbean and Jewish restaurants, reflecting the rich heritage of the neighborhood. With the annual West Indian Day Parade and other cultural festivals, Crown Heights is a lively and exciting place to live or visit in Brooklyn.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn gets its name from its highest point of elevation in the neighborhood, which is where crowns would be placed on the heads of royalty in the 18th century. This hilly area was originally known as Crow Hill and was home to mostly Dutch and English settlers. In the late 19th century, the neighborhood saw an influx of Jewish and African American residents. Today, Crown Heights is a diverse community with a rich history and a mix of Caribbean, Jewish, and Hip-Hop cultures. It is home to beautiful landmarks such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, as well as annual events like the West Indian Day Parade.

Crown Heights, located in central Brooklyn, has a rich history that dates back to the mid-17th century when the Dutch settled the area. The neighborhood gets its name from the Crown Street and Prospect Heights hills. During the early 1900s, Crown Heights saw a large influx of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, leading to the establishment of numerous synagogues, kosher butchers, and bakeries. In the mid-1900s, the neighborhood experienced a demographic shift as African Americans and Caribbean immigrants moved in. In 1991, tensions rose in Crown Heights between these two groups, leading to a series of riots and clashes that lasted for several days. Despite this, Crown Heights has remained a vibrant and diverse community, now home to a mix of residents from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Today, the neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and thriving arts and food scene.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn is a neighborhood packed with history, culture, and exciting landmarks and attractions. One of the neighborhood’s most notable landmarks is the Brooklyn Children's Museum, which is the first museum in the country designed specifically for kids. The Weeksville Heritage Center, a historic site dedicated to preserving the history of the area's African-American community, is also a must-visit. Prospect Park, one of Brooklyn's largest and most famous parks, is located just south of Crown Heights. Additionally, the neighborhood boasts beautiful architecture in buildings like the Brooklyn Public Library's Eastern Parkway Branch and the stunning brownstones lining tree-lined streets. Finally, foodies will enjoy exploring the diverse culinary scene, including Jamaican, Caribbean, and Jewish cuisine staples found at local restaurants and food shops.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn has been home to a number of notable individuals throughout history. Poet and author Audre Lorde was born in the neighborhood in 1934. Baseball player Jackie Robinson, who famously broke the sport's color barrier, lived in Crown Heights with his family in the 1930s. Musician Max Roach, known as one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, was also a Crown Heights resident. Additionally, rapper and actor Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) grew up in the neighborhood and attended school there. These influential individuals demonstrate the diverse and impactful contributions that Crown Heights has made to the cultural landscape of New York City.

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All photography provided by Samuel Walters